A micro puree machine includes a mixing shaft coupled to a blade and rotatable by means of a gear. A magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response. A controller receives the rotation signal and determines a rotation count associated with the gear, causing the mixing shaft to ascend back toward the housing once a pre-selected rotation count has been reached. The pre-selected rotation count correlates with the partial processing of the ingredients.

Semi-automatic machine for crushing and for collecting outside frozen food substances contained in an external storage container, for a subsequent food use of the food substances, that is for being eaten, as for example fruit smoothies, slushes, ice creams, etc., and/or for preparing foods to be eaten later, as for example condiments, seasonings, which machine being of the electrical type and including a support cabinet adapted to contain and to support at least a first electrical actuation means, at least a motion transmission element, at least an upper closing and pushing unit, and at least a lower crushing and discharging unit, the storage container containing the frozen food substance being able to be placed between the closing and pushing unit and the crushing and discharging unit, in such a way the same frozen food substance may be crushed and at the same time discharged outside the same machine.

An appliance comprises a component having a user interface. The appliance is arranged to control a feature of the user interface in dependence on a change in the position (such as a locational or rotational position) of the component.